Moist packaged article and method of making same



E. M. WEINBERGER I Nov. 22, 1966 MOIST PACKAGED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1963 FIG. 1

INVENTOR EMANUEL M. WEINBERGER ,wmww

ATTORNEYS.

22, 1966 E. M. WEINBERGER 3,286,435

MOIST PACKAGED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed July 24, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. I 6.

INVENTOR EMANUEL M. WEINBERGER AT TOR NEYS.

Nov. 22, 1966 E. M. WEINBERGER MOIST PACKAGED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME I Filed July 24, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 2

R E G R E 4/ U 0 N w/ N MW m E fl T W Ln 1 w 5 N 4 mm E .)6/, 4 f 4 a 1 4 o 9 H /4 4 4 3 4 Nov. 22, 1966 E. M. WEINBERGER MOIST PACKAGED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed July 24, 1963 Ifllll IIIIII/IIIIIII/I/A ATTORNEYS.

INVE N TOR 2 EMANUEL M. WEINBERGER United States Patent 3,286,435 MOIST PACKAGED ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Emanuel M. Weinberger, Mount Vernon, N.Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Holland-Rantos Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July 24, 1963, Ser. No. 297,436 4 Claims. (Cl. 53-117) This invention relates to an improved moist packaged article, and a method and apparatus for making the same. More specifically, this invention relates to an improvement in disposable cleansing towels, napkins or the like, and a method and apparatus for economically producing and packaging the same for mass production.

Disposable cleansing towels or napkins and the like have been individually packed in sealed envelopes for use in vending machines, or as give-aways in restaurants and the like in lieu of finger bowls. Such cleansing towels are generally folded a number of times so as to define a small, flat, compact article which is then saturated with a liquid cleansing agent. Accordingly, the sealed envelope encasing the folded saturated towel or napkin is impervious to liquids. Heretofore, it has been customary to fold the sheet or blank forming an individual napkin or towel into a plurality of folds by folding the same in half, then quarters, then eighths, sixteenths and so on until the desired small, compact size is reached so that the same may be encased in a relatively small flat envelope in the order of four square inches or less. Thus, when such towel or napkin was required to be used, it was necessary for the user to unfold the towel a number of times in the reverse order to open the towel, napkin or blank to its full size. Such unfolding required several operations and both hands of the user. Further, the unfolding was often rendered difficult and time consuming because the saturated folds of the sheet would tend to closely adhere to one another, requiring the user to exercise a large degree of patience in order to effect the unfolding of such folded towels.

As presently made and packaged the towel blanks are precut and prefolded before being supplied to an assembly machine for inserting them into a one side opened scalable envelope into which a cleansing liquid is introduced after insertion of the towel and thereafter the envelope is sealed. The cost of precut and folded envelopes is a substantial factor in the ultimate cost of the finished product.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved disposable towel or napkin which can be readily unfolded even when totally saturated with a liquid cleansing agent with a minimum of effort and a maximum of ease.

It is another object to provide a disposable napkin folded along longitudinally extended foldlines to define a compressed accordian folded article.

Another object is to provide a disposable napkin or towel with folds which can be readily grasped to enhance the unfolding operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel method for individually packaging a moistened disposable cleansing towel or napkin in an enclosure or envelope therefor.

Another object is to provide a novel method for forming disposable cleansing towels of predetermined length from a continuous roll of material.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus in which disposable towels of predetermined length may be automatically folded in a continuous manner from a continuous sheet of blank material to define a flat, accordian folded strip which is then sequentially blanked and stuffed in a sealing envelope.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus for forming and packaging a moistened disposable towel or napkin which is fast and positive in operation, and which is capable of automatically operating with a minimum of attention.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus for forming and packaging paper towels which is relatively simple in operation, relatively inexpensive to fabricate, and which is relatively trouble-free in operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which utilizes a continuous roll of toweling as a material source for cut and folded towel blanks, the apparatus having incorporated therein means for folding and cutting towel blanks from the roll of towel material.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article of manufacture in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the article of FIG. 1 illustrating the fold of the towel upon insertion thereof in the sealing envelope;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the method by which the continuous blank from which the napkin or towels are formed is sequentially folded, blanked and stuffed in the sealing envelope;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the folds of the blank in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating a slightly modified fold of the blank;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the apparatus for forming the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmental side elevational view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a plan sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the improved article 20 of manufacture made in accordance with this invention. It comprises essentially of a folded disposable towel or napkin 21 of specific construction to be hereinafter described, saturated with a suitable liquid cleansing agent, and a sealed envelope 22 formed of a liquid impervious e.g. a plastic lined metallic foil or the like. As shown the envelope 22 is completely sealed about the entire periphery to completely encase the folded towel 21 therein.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, the blank from which the towel 21 is formed is provided with a plurality of transversely extending parallel disposed fold lines 23 about which the blank is folded to define a fiat accordian folded strip as shown in either FIGS. 4 and 5. In the form of FIG. 4 the marginal longitudinal edge 24 of one of the outer folds 25 extends beyond the width or edge of the inner folds 26. Thus the extended marginal edge 24 provides the means whereby the towel 21 may be grasped to facilitate the opening or unfolding of the same. Thus, it will be noted that with the accordian folds as shown, the towel 21 can be readily unfolded simply by 3 grasping the extended marginal edge 24, and with a flick of the wrist snap the blank to its unfolded position. Thus, unfolding is accomplished with a single simple movement which can be performed with One hand.,

FIG. 5 illustrates a slightly modified form of fold. In this form, the blank is folded so that each of the end folds 28 is provided with a marginal edge 29 Which extends beyond the width of the intermediate folds 23. In this form the folded towel may be unfolded either by the manner described with reference to FIG. 4, or else the respective extended portions 29 of the outer folds 28 may be grasped with both hands and pulled in opposite directions. It will be noted that the cumulative thickness of the intermediate folds 23 maintain the respectiv extended marginal portions 29 separated so that they will not adhere when saturated to one another, and thus can be readily parted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the accordian folded blank 21, prior to its insertion into an open end envelope 22 is reversely folded once about a medial fold line 30 to reduce in half its overall size. With the folded towel 21 inserted in the envelope 22, the liquid cleansing agent is then added and the envelope 22 sealed. Since the towel is preferably formed of an absorbent paper-like material, the liquid will become thoroughly absorbed therein.

The method which has been found best to form the towel construction 21 described is to continuously form the accordian folds as described in a strip of sheet material 31 as it is taken off a supply roll 32 of such material. The material, taken from the supply roll 32 in its expanded form, is gradually folded along the length thereof in a manner so that the folds are progressively compressed, as viewed in FIG. 3, until the width of the material defining the plurality of folds 23 lies in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the expanded sheet material as it was taken off the supply roll.

The folds 23 of the strip are formed so that the outer or free edge portion 24, or 29 of either one or both of the respective outermost folds of the material is extended a slight distance beyond the width of the intermediate folds 23 as seen in either FIGS. 4 or 5. As hereinbefore described, the extended portions 24 or 29 of the outer folds facilitate the grasping of the towel so that it can be readily unfolded with a minimum of effort.

' cut to define a predetermined length 21A of folded strips.

Upon severing of. the predetermined lengths 21A, the

severed length 21A is then stuffed into an open end envelope by reversely folding the severed length and leading the same into the envelope by its folded edge 30 as seen in FIG. 3.

With the reversely folded accordian folded strip 21 disposed within the envelope 22, a liquid cleansing agent is then introduced into the envelope 22 to be absorbed by the paper towel. The envelope 22 is then sealed, as by suitable means, e.g. heat sealing means (not shown).

While the foregoing method may be performed by hand, it is preferred that the same be automatically performed on an apparatus 35 to be herein described. As best seen in FIGS. 6 to 11, the apparatus 35 comprises a suitable frame structure for supporting thereon a roll of material 32 or paper from which the towel or napkin 21 is formed, a folding station 36, means 37 for feeding the material to a cutting station 38 and a stuffing station 39. Operatively associated with the stuffing station 39 is a conveyor means 40 for conveying the open end envelopes 22 and for positioning the same for receiving the folded napkin 21, as herein described.

In accordance with this invention the respective stations are sequentially operated and timed so as to operate at high speed.

As best seen in FIGS. 7, 9 and 11, the folding station 36 comprises a housing 41 which is substantially rectangular in cross-section with the opposed sides 41A, 41B thereof diverging in the direction in which the material is fed therethrough. The opposed end portions 41C, 41D of the housing 41 converges in the direction in which the material is fed therethrough. Disposed within the housing 41 are a plurality of inwardly extending plates 42 which are connected to the opposed sides 41A, 41B of the housing 41, and which are staggered in transversely spaced relationship therein. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the respective free ends of the opposed plates 42 are spaced from the side of the housing opposite thereto. The arrangement is such that the plates 42 define the respective folds of the material 31 as the same is led therethrough. Accordingly, the width of the respective plates 42 progressively increases from inlet to outlet of said housing 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, the material 31 from which the towel 21 is formed is taken from the supply roll 32 and it is threaded over a suitable series of guided rollers 43 to 50 to the inlet of the folding housing 41. The material 31 is then fed up through the housing 41 wherein the material is folded about the plates 42 to define a relatively narrow strip of substantially flat accordian folds passing out through the top of the housing 41. It will be noted that the accordian folded strip 31' emerges through the top of the folding housing 41 so that the width of the folds 23 is disposed normal to the width or blank of the material 31 as it is taken off the roll 32.

The accordian folded strip 31 is then passed between means 37 by which the material is fed from the supply roll 32 and through the forming station 36 described. As best seen in FIG. 9, the feed means 37 comprises a drive roller 51 and a driven belt 52. Accordingly the drive roller 51 has a sprocket 53 connected thereto and which is driven by a drive chain 54 from the main drive shaft 55 of the apparatus.

A suitable motor means (not shown) in turn powers the main drive shaft 55.

As shown the driven portion 52 of the feed means 37 comprises a roller 56 and complementary idler roller 57 over which a feed belt 52 is driven. The arrangement is such that the belt 52 engages the drive roller 51 and feeds the accordion folded strip 31' therethrough to the cutting station 38. In passing through the feed means 37 the accordion folds are further compressed so that the respective folds 23 thereof are disposed in contiguous relationship, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The cutting station 38 of the apparatus is disposed adjacent the feed means 37, and as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, it comprises a frame structure 58 defining a guideway for a reciprocating knife blade 59 or cutting means. As shown the knife blade 59 is reciprocated by means of an eccentric 60 which is connected intermediate a drive shaft 61 journalled on the frame 58. Connected adjacent one end of the drive shaft 61 is a sprocket 62 which is connected by a chain drive 63 to the output 64 of a gear box 65. The input 66 of the gear box, in turn is connected by means of a chain drive 67 to the main drive shaft 55.

I In this manner the reciprocation of the knife blade 59 can be readily timed to the advanced or feed of the accordion folded strip 31' to the cutting station 38 so that upon each cutting operation or cycle of the knife 59, a uniform predetermined accordion folded length 21A can be completely severed from the end of the strip 31. Thus each length 21A so severed determines the size of the individual towels or napkins 21. If desired, suitable means as indicated at 69 may be provided for adjusting the cutting knife 59.

In accordance with this invention a stuffing means 39 is provided adjacent the cutting station 38. As best seen in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9 the stuffing station 39 comprises a reciprocably mounted stuffing blade 70 which is adapted to reversely fold the severed length 21A of accordion folded strips and to stuff the reversely folded length into an open end envelope 22. The stufling blade 70 comprises a blunt end plate substantially equal to the width of the accordion folded strip, and it is connected by means of a horizontally disposed bar 71 to a reciprocating guide plate 72 which is slidably mounted in opposed ways 73 of a guide frame 74.

In accordance with this invention the stuffing blade 70 is sequenced to lag slightly in operation relative to the cutting blade 59. Also it isv to be noted that the stuffing blade 70 is spaced from the cutting blade 59 approximately one-half the distance of the severed length 21A of the folded strip. Thus, in operation, the stufling blade 70 is tuned to lag slightly behind the operation of the knife 59 so that almost immediately upon the severing of the predetermined length 21A of accordion folded strip, the stufling blade 70 engages the cut strip 21A and pushes it through opening 75 formed in the table 76 over which the strip is guided. In doing so the strip 21A is caused to be reversely folded about the'stuffing blade 70 so that I, the fold or bight portion 30 of the reversely folded strip is presented to' the open end of the envelope 22 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

In the illustrated form of the invention the stuffing blade 70 is driven off the drive shaft 61 operating the eccentric 60 of the cutting blade 59 through a transmission means 77 (see FIG. 8) operatively connected to said stuffing blade 70. As best seen in FIG. 8 the transmission 77 includes an eccentric cam 78 journalled to the shaft 61. Arranged to follow the periphery 78A of the cam 78 is a cam roller or follower 79 pivotally connected to a bifurcated link 80 in which the forked end 80A of the link 80 is arranged to receive the shaft 61; thus the link 80 has imparted thereto a reciprocating movement as the eccentric cam 78 is rotated. Link 80 in turn is pivotally connected through a suitable extension 81, 82 thereof to a' link 83 journalled to a stufi'er, actuating shaft 84. The link connection 80, 81, 82, 83 is such that an oscillating movement imparted to the shaft 84 by the reciprocation of link 80. The cam follower 79 is urged in rolling engagement by a spring 85. As shown in FIG. 6, one end of spring 85 hooks a link 86 fixed to the shaft 84 to bias the same.

Journalled to the oscillating shaft 84 is an actuation bar 87 for imparting the oscillating movement of the shaft 84 to a reciprocating movement of the stulfer guide plate 72 and stuifer blade 70 connected thereto. This is attained by disposing the pin 89 connected to a bar 88 fixed to the stutter guide plate 72 in the bifurcate 87A of the actuating bar 87. Thus as the actuator bar 87 oscillates up and down about the axis .of the actuating shaft 84, whereby the guide plate 72 carrying the stuifer 70 is permitted to reciprocate up and down accordingly. Thus the eccentric cam 78 is shaped so that the movement imparted to the stuffer blade 70 will lag slightly behind the actuation of the cutting blade 59.

Operatively associated with the stuffing station 39 is a conveyor means '40 for sequentially conveying and positioning an open end envelope 22 below the opening 75 in the table 76 through which the stutfer blade 70 pushes the folded length of towel 21. As shown the conveyor 70 comprises an endless chain 90 which has spaced along the flight thereof retainer means 91 for holding an envelope 22 for receiving the towel. In the illustrated embodiment the retainer means 91 may comprise a spring clip. Accordingly, the conveyor is driven off the main drive shaft 55 by suitable drive means (not shown), timed to position the respective envelopes 22 carried thereby for receiving the towels. At stations not shown, the liquid cleansing agent -is subsequently disposed in each envelope, and the envelope sealed to define the package.

The operation of the apparatus described is such that the material 31 taken or fed from the supply roll 32 is continuously folded as it is drawn through the folding station 36 to define a continuous accordion folded strip 31' 6 in which one or both of the outer fold ends 24 or 29 extend beyond the width of the intermediate folds 23.

The means for drawing the material through the folding stations further compresses the folds 23 of the strip. The operation of the feeding means is such that it will intermittently advance the compressed stripto the cutting station in which the cutting blade 59 is timed to sever a predetermined length from the end of the folded strip. Immediately upon the severing of the predetermined length 21A, the stuffer blade 70 is actuated to pass the blanked length 21A through an opening 75 in the table 76. In doing so the folded strip is reversely folded and stuffed into the envelope 22 which was conveyed beneath the opening 75 by the conveyor means 40.

Accordingly the arrangement is such that the machine operates exceedingly fast, and that it is virtually trouble free in operation.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to a particular article of manufacture, and the method and apparatus for making the same, it will be understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for pack-aging a disposable cleansing sheet in a substantially flat envelope type package comprising:

(a) a folding station,

(b) means for feeding the material from which the cleansing sheet is formed through said folding station and folding said material into a plurality of longitudinally extending accordion folds,

(c) a cutting station having cutting means for severing from the end of said continuously acco rdian folded material a predetermined length of said accordian folded material,

((1) a stuffing station having means for reversely folding said severed length of said 'acc-ordian folded material,

(e) and means for conveying an open end envelope to said stuffing stations for receiving said reversely folded length of severed material.

2. An apparatus for packaging an article in an open end envelope comprising:

(a) a folding station,

(b) means for continuously feeding the article to be packaged to said folding station wherein said article is folded into a strip including a plurality of longitudinally extending accordian folds,

(c) a cutting station including a cutting means,

(d) means for feeding said continuous folded strip to said cutting station, whereby said cutting means severs the end of said strip into predetermined lengths,

(e) a stufiing station disposed adjacent said cutting stat-ion,

(f) said stuffing station including a stuffing means disposed intermediate the ends of said severed length,

(lg) means for conveying an open end envelope beneath sa-id stufiing station,

(h) and means for timing the operation of said cutting means, stuffi-ng means, and envelope conveying means so that said stuffing means reversely folds said length and stuffs the same in said envelope.

3. An apparatus for packaging a disposable paper towel in an envelope comprising:

(a) a folding station in which a continuous strip of paper material is continuously folded into a plurality of longitudinally extending flat accordian folds,

('b) means for feeding said strip of material through said folding station,

(0) a cutting station,

( d) said cutting station including a reciprocating cutting means for successively severing the end from said accordian folded material into predetermined lengths,

(e) a stutfing station disposed adjacent said cutting station,

(f) said stuffing station including a reciprocating stufiing blade, disposed intermediate the ends of each said severed length of said accordian folded material,

(g) means for conveying an open end envelope to said stuffing station so that the open end of the envelope is positioned to receive said stulfing blade and severed length of folded material carried thereby,

(b) means for timing the operation of said folding,

feeding, cutting and stuffing stations.

4. An apparatus for packaging a disposable paper towel in a substantially flat open end envelope type package comprising:

(a) means for supporting a roll of Wound disposable (b) a folding station,

(c) said folding stat-ion including a housing having an inlet and an outlet end and a series of inwardly extending plates disposed within said housing, said plates being oppositely disposed, and staggered in transversely spaced relationship,

(d) means for continuously feeding said paper from said roll through said housing so that said blades continuously crease said pap-er fed therethrough,

(e) a cutting station disposed adjacent the outlet of said housing,

(f) said feeding means compressing the creases of said paper prior to passing the same to said cutting station,

(g) said cutting station including a reciprocating knife blade,

(h) an eccentric drive means for operating said knife blade,

(i) means for operating said eccentric drive means,

(j) said latter means including a main drive shaft,

(k) a flexible drive connection operatively connecting said main drive shaft 'and said eccentric drive means whereby said knife blade is cycled to sever the end of said compressed accordian creased paper into a predetermined length,

(l) a stufling station disposed adjacent said cutting station,

(In) said stufling station including a stufiing blade disposed intermediate the length of said severed length of paper,

(n) means for reciprocably mounting said stufiing blade,

(0) means for driving said stuffing blade,

(p) said blade drive means including a linkage connection for driving the same off of said eccentric driving means so that said stufiin-g blade is timed to lag slightly behind the movement of said knife blade, and

(q) means for sequentially conveying an open end envelope to said stuffing station, said conveyor being timed so that the envelope carried thereby is positioned to receive said stuffing blade and severed length of material carried thereby.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,050,476 1/1913 Liljeros 53l20 2,961,678 11/1960 MacLellan et al 53-29 X 3,129,811 4/1964 Williams 20646 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Examiner.

R. L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner. 

2. AN APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING AN ARTICLE IN AN OPEN END ENVELOPE COMPRISING: (A) A FOLDING STATION, (B) MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY FEEDING THE ARTICLE TO BE PACKAGED TO SAID FOLDING STATION WHEREIN SAID ARTICLE IS FOLDED INTO A STRIP INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING ACCORDIAN FOLDS, (C) A CUTTING STATION INCLUDING A CUTTING MEANS, (D) MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID CONTINUOS FOLDED STRIP TO SAID CUTTING STATION, WHEREBY SAID CUTTING MEANS SEVERS THE END OF SAID STRIP INTO PREDETERMINED LENGTHS, (E) A STUFFING STATION DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CUTTING STATION, (F) SAID STUFFING STATION INCLUDING A STUFFING MEANS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID SEVERED LENGTH, (G) MEANS FOR CONVEYING AN OPEN END ENVELOPE BENEATH SAID STUFFING STATION, (H) AND MEANS FOR TIMING THE OPERATION OF SAID CUTTING MEANS, STUFFING MEANS, AND ENVELOPE CONVEYING MEANS TO THAT SAID STUFFING MEANS REVERSELY FOLDS SAID LENGTH AND STUFFS THE SAME IN SAID ENVELOPE. 